If you like it, save it!

If you like something…

Author Notes: When family and friends assemble to celebrate the holidays nothing is more comforting than a nice cup of hot chocolate on a brisk cool evening. This recipe came to me by combing ingredients in the pantry that added character to a standard hot chocolate recipe. —Adrian V. Mabon

Serves 5-6

4cups Whole Milk

1cup Heavy Cream (set aside)

1/4cup cocoa powder

8ounces package semi sweet chocolate chips

3tablespoons Granulated Sugar

2teaspoons Mexican vanilla Extract

1/4teaspoon chile powder

1/4teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4teaspoon cinnamon

2tablespoons Powdered sugar (set aside)

1pinch salt

1bunch canela cinnamon sticks

1shot rum (optional) into each cup

In a medium pot add cocoa powder and granulated sugar and one cup of milk incorporate with a wire whisk to dissolve the cocoa, add chile powder,cayenne, and cinnamon and salt stir and place on medium heat add remaining three cups of whole milk and 8 ounce of chocolate chips stir continuously for 20 minutes until chips have dissolved. Add pinch of salt and Mexican vanilla extract,pour mixture through a sieve to remove any undisolved pieces of chocolate. Stir and serve in cups with or without rum topped with fresh whipped cream and one stick of Canela cinnamon to stir

To make whipped cream, place 1 cup heavy cream in a cold medium size bowl with two tablespoons of powdered sugar and 1 additional teaspoon of Mexican vanilla extract with electric mixer beat until thick and frothy. spoon on top of hot chocolate.